Small Business the Focus at World Trade Center Event

LeBow College of Business sponsored “Global Business Conference: Mapping the Global Economy in 2012” with the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia last Wednesday. The conference featured a full-day of notable speakers who discussed both the global and local economy.

The keynote address was given to a roomful of business leaders by Grant Aldonas, the principal managing director of Split Rock International and former U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. In his address, Aldonas spoke of his 22-city tour of the United States looking at manufacturing facilities. He said, “Philadelphia has remarkable diversity in terms of the types of businesses, from high-tech firms, pharmaceutical, financial. . .it’s a great stable environment for starting and running a business.” He was introduced by Mayor Michael A. Nutter, who offered some insight into the future of Philadelphia and his aspiration to make it the “number one green city in America.”

In addition, David Kotok of Cumberland Advisors, and David Malpass of Ancim Global gave their perspective on “Navigating An Ever-Changing Landscape — Leading Economists Debate the Future of the Global Economy,” moderated by William C. Dunkelberg, chair of the board of director of the Global Interdepence Center.

One of the more popular segments of the day was a small business panel, during which Duane Presti, CEO of Paris Technologies, Holly Hammond, director of international sales of K’NEX Brands, and Andrea Townrow, executive vice president of the World Traded Center of Greater Philadelphia, shared their perspectives on managing a small business in a tough economy.